DILG sets training-workshop for SK officials
City Councilor Julienne "Jam-Jam" Baronda may face administrative charges in the event she will push through with her training-workshop for newly-elected Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairmen in the city.
Councilor Armand Parcon said that a certain group is interested in taking legal action against Baronda if she insists in conducting the three-day Integrated Sangguniang Kabataan Organizational Leadership and Re-Orientation Program-Basic Orientation Seminar (ISKOLAR-BOS) at a resort in Guimbal, Iloilo from November 30 to December 2.
Parcon, however, did not identify the supposed group.
Parcon said the training-workshop would violate the guidelines of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on the conduct of SK federation elections.
Parcon's daughter Frances Grace is also aspiring to run for the SK federation post.
Earlier, Parcon accused Baronda of actively campaigning for John Melchor Mabilog, nephew of Vice Mayor Jed Mabilog. The vice mayor had also asked Parcon to let his daughter withdraw from the race but it yielded negative result.
Under the guidelines released by DILG, the SK synchronized federation elections are scheduled on December 6, 2007, for the municipal and city federations; December 17, 2007, for the provincial and metropolitan federations; and January 17, 2008 for the national federation.
Moreover, the guideline says that the conduct of ISKOLAR-BOS will be done by DILG.
DILG memorandum circular number 2007-150 issued last November 9, 2007 provides that the DILG city director shall conduct the ISKOLAR BOS based on the module prepared by the Department through the National Barangay Operations Office and the National Youth Commission.
The same circular prohibits the holding of organizational meeting/orientation seminar or other similar activities for the SK Chairmen and Pederasyon members on dates and places other than those specified by the order.
The guidelines further says that, all expenses incidental to the holding of ISKOLAR-BOS and election of Panlungsod Pederasyon shall be chargeable to the 10 percent SK funds alloted under Section 329 of the Local Government Code provided all expenses shall not exceed the required transportation expenses and registration fees for each SK participant. The registration fee for the city is P1,000 per registrant.
In another DILG memorandum circular 2002-123, it is clearly stated that "it is unlawful for any elective and appointive officials including the SK chairmen" to campaign directly or directly against any candidate or interfere with the conduct of the SK Pederasyon elections. The campaign shall only be during the scheduled date of elections.
In the same circular, elective officials are not allowed to campaign for or against a prospective candidate or interfere with the conduct of elections.
"The elective official concerned may be administratively charged for abuse of authority and dereliction of duty," if found violating the DILG guidelines.